“Being pro-life” means that when children come of age “their lives are just as precious and they are never required to fight an undeclared, unwinnable war,” Paul said, eliciting a round of applause from supporters.

“The country is tired of the war, and we’re also broke,” said Paul, who later promised to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan and Iraq.

The Texan ended his time at the podium by telling the audience he would turn around the U.S. economy by eliminating the Federal Reserve, going back to the gold standard and reducing government regulations on businesses. Elimination of income taxes and corporate taxes should also be “seriously considered,” he said.

“We got into this trouble by not having respect for the Constitution,” Paul said. “We can get out of trouble by respecting the rule of law and by sending only people to Washington who know, understand and will obey the Constitution.”